Ring the bell for neighbors in need

by Lynn Meredith
ELB, SG, KNVL—Take a break from your holiday schedule and help your neighbors in need this season by volunteering to ring the bells in front of the Elburn and Sugar Grove Jewel stores and Elburn Ream’s Meat Market. Each Saturday, the red Salvation Army kettles will be in place, collecting for local families in need. All the money collected will go to help families in the Kaneland and Big Rock areas.

Conley Outreach is the local Salvation Army representative. It receives about $3,500 yearly from the metropolitan division, but those funds have been used up. Since July, 30 families have received help with paying for rent, heat, food, clothing and other necessities. The money collected at Christmas goes a long way in replenishing the fund.

“We have been inundated,” Carol Alfrey, Executive Director of Conley Outreach Community Service said. “I’ve had to limit the amount I help people with.”

Besides collecting in front of the Jewels’ and Ream’s on each Saturday during December, volunteers will be stationed in Elburn on Friday, Dec. 3, Kaneville on Saturday, Dec. 4, and in Sugar Grove on Saturday, Dec. 4. Alfrey also hopes to collect on Dec. 23 and 24 at the Jewel locations. The Sugar Grove Library will have a permanent kettle.

But Alfrey still needs volunteers to ring bells at the locations. The more times the kettles are out, the more money can be collected, and every little bit helps.

“On these days, I’m hoping to have the kettles out, but I still need volunteers,” Alfey said. “I have several shifts still available.”

Each shift is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with two ringers each shift. So far, the freshman and sophomore Kaneland High School basketball teams have signed up, along with other individuals. If your group or family would like to help out, call Carol Alfrey at (630) 365-2880. To send a donation, mail it to Conley Outreach/Salvation Army Fund, P.O. Box 931 Elburn, IL 60119.